Lim Hng Kiang brought ‘hard-headed, practical approach infused with human touch’
SINGAPORE — Outgoing Cabinet Minister Lim Hng Kiang, who has helmed the trade and industry portfolio for 14 years, has not only developed economic strategies for Singapore but his calmness and experience were "pillars of strength" during the 2008 global financial crisis, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Apr 27).
In valedictory letters to three long-serving ministers who are due to retire from the Cabinet on May 1, Mr Lee said the blueprints crafted by Mr Lim helped Singapore "build resilience and sustain growth in an uncertain global environment".
Mr Lim, 64, is among the third-generation leaders who will step down from Cabinet next month — but continue as Members of Parliament — following a reshuffle announced earlier this week.
After retiring from Cabinet, Mr Lim will be appointed as Special Adviser to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to provide advice on economic strategies to grow Singapore's capabilities and international economic space, for example.
Detailing Mr Lim's achievements at MTI, Mr Lee noted that he has built up key industry clusters in the manufacturing sector — including petrochemicals, semiconductors and life sciences — by promoting foreign investments and creating the right conditions for the sectors to grow.
He also worked hard at building trade relationships with other countries. More recently for instance, he worked with the remaining 10 countries – after the United States withdrew – to conclude the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Mr Lee noted.
During the financial crisis a decade ago, Mr Lim's "calmness and experience were pillars of strength", said Mr Lee.
"You systematically reviewed the options, and worked out a bold and effective package of measures, including notably the Special Risk-Sharing Initiative and Jobs Credit schemes. This response bolstered confidence, saved jobs, and enabled the Singapore economy to recover swiftly," he added.
Mr Lim entered politics in 1991 as an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC. In 1997, he contested in West Coast GRC and has been an MP there since.
Among his list of political appointments, Mr Lim had served as Minister for Health between 1999 and 2003. During this period, he made "sound decisions" when Singapore had to deal with the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, and the Government's handling of the crisis later earned the praise of the World Health Organisation, Mr Lee recalled.
Some 740 people were quarantined during the outbreak, and measures were taken to institute temperature-taking in schools and at Singapore's borders, for instance. "Amidst general fear and alarm, you assessed the situation and made sound decisions," said Mr Lee.
Among the third-generation leaders, Mr Lee said he has known Mr Lim the longest – for more than 40 years. They were contemporaries in the University of Cambridge who entered public service together, and later worked with each other in multiple roles.
Describing Mr Lim as an individual who is "steady under pressure", he said the minister could also analyse problems rationally and objectively, and has a sensitive feel for political considerations. "Your approach is hard-headed and practical, yet infused with a human touch," Mr Lee said.
He added: "I and my colleagues will miss your pragmatic, farsighted approach to issues and your wise counsel in Cabinet."
